Faith Kipyegon wins at the Sirikwa Cross Country Classic (© Organisers)
Three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon and world 10km record-holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich are among the star attractions at the fourth edition of the Sirikwa Classic, the final Gold meeting in this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour, in Lobo on the outskirts of Eldoret Town on Saturday (22).
Kenya’s Kipyegon, the four-time world champion, will endeavour to reclaim the title she ran away with during the 2023 edition. During that groundbreaking year she also shattered the world 1500m, mile and 5000m records en route to being crowned the world 1500m and 5000m champion.
“I'm currently in my build-up, training towards the outdoor season ahead,” said Kipyegon, who will make her track season debut at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Xiamen on 26 April, when she will compete in the 1000m. “Cross country is where athletics started for me as a young girl and it's always motivating to run on home ground.”
The 31-year-old will be the athlete to beat in the 10km senior women’s race, which will see her go head-to-head against her compatriot Ngetich.
Ngetich, who was a distant 17th during the inaugural edition of the Sirikwa Classic, then known as the Agnes Tirop Cross Country Classic, placed fourth at the World Cross Country Championships in 2024 after having claimed individual bronze and team gold at the 2023 edition of the global event.
“I am excited to open my season at the Sirikwa Cross Country. This is the first step in a big year ahead, and I am ready to test my form and give my best on home soil,” said Ngetich.
But the race isn’t only a battle between Kipyegon and Ngetich. The duo will face off with Uganda’s emerging talent Loice Chekwemoi, the 18-year-old African 3000m steeplechase champion and winner of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country.
Other athletes in the mix include Kenya’s Hellen Ekalale, winner of the 10K Valencia Ibercaja by Kiprun, plus All-African Games 10,000m champion Janeth Chepngetich, national cross-country champion Brillian Jepkorir Kipkoech, African cross-country champion Cintia Chepngeno and world half marathon bronze medallist Catherine Amanang'ole. In addition to those from Uganda, international athletes from Ethiopia, Ukraine and Czechia will also compete.
The men’s 10km senior race is likely to be an open contest but there are high stakes for world U20 cross country bronze medallist Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto. The 19-year-old sits second on the World Cross Country Tour standings with 3680 points, 40 points behind tour leader Rodrigue Kwizera of Burundi who has 3720 points – both scores after three competitions. Kipruto bagged Cinque Mulini and Festival du Cross Country victories and secured third place at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country. Victory at home on Saturday would close his campaign in style and solidify his second place.
Kipruto will clash with his compatriots Jacob Krop, the 2022 world 5000m silver medallist, plus 2022 world 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka Mburu, Chepsaita Cross Country and 2022 Sirikwa Classic winner Samwel Chebolei Masai, Kibiwott Kandie, Weldon Langat, steeplechaser Leonard Bett and Gideon Kipkertich Rono, who started the year by finishing fifth and third at the Cross Internacional das Amendoeiras em Flor and Cross Cup de Hannut respectively. Rono is currently seventh on the tour standings.
The Ugandan duo of World U20 Championships bronze medallist Keneth Kiprop and Martin Kiprotich Magengo are also in action. Kiprop won the Cardiff Cross Challenge and placed fifth at the Cross Internacional de Italica and Cross Internacional Zornotza. Magengo was second at Cross Internacional de Alcobendas, 10th at Parque Andalucia Alcobendas and fifth at Cross Internacional de Atapuerca.
They will be joined by Ethiopia’s two-time world cross country relay silver medallist Adehena Kasaye as well as competitors from Tanzania, Germany, Ukraine, Czechia, Poland and India.
Entries for the women’s U20 6km include world U20 steeplechase bronze medallist Diana Chepkemoi, national U20 champion Lorna Cherono, Great Chepsaita champion Cynthia Chepkirui and Sharon Chepkemoi, who finished ninth at the Cross Internacional de Italica.
In the men’s U20 race, Kevin Kiprop will be hunting for more home glory following his successes at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country and national championships. The world U20 5000m champion Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi headlines the event and will be joined by other upcoming talent as well as Uganda’s Abraham Cherotich.
Michelle Katami for World Athletics
